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Name: Anthony Bisio
Email: aabisio@worldnet.att.net
Age: 39
Occupation: Engineer
NumberOfCruises: 5
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Princess-Dawn
SailingDate: 4/4/98
Itinerary: Aruba,La Guira,Dominica,Grenada,St. Thomas
FoodDiningRoom: 85
CruiseDirector: 95
CabinComfort: 90
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 85
CabinAmenities: 90
FoodLidoDeck: 85
DiningRoomService: 90
CabinQuietness: 100
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 100
ShoreExcVariety: 80
FoodVariety: 85
DeckService: 80
ShoreExcValue: 75
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff: 85
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 90
LoungeService: 90
TenderService: 90
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 85
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 90
OverallPortsofCall: 75
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 95
CruiseActivities: 90
Casino: 85
AirSeaProgram: 90
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 100
EmbarkDisembark: 100
DiscoNightclubs: 90
DeckSpace: 85
Stabilization: 95
ShopsOnBoard: 85
SpaceRatio: 90
OverallCruiseValue: 90
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 13 Apr 1998
Time: 14:30:57
Remote Name: 131.65.7.62
Remote User:
Comments
This was our 5th cruise, second with Princess. Two years ago we took the Sun during its
inaugural season. Last year we were on the Celebrity
Galaxy. We very much enjoyed the Dawn. It is a beautiful ship, sister to the Sun. The
overall design of this ship allows it to have lots of open spaces,
which translates to a very airy, open feeling. Again, as the last time on Princess, the
ship was immaculate. The crew goes to great lengths to make
sure it stays that way, and it shows. We are a family of 4 with 2 teenagers. This was the
first air/sea package we have tried, and it went flawlessly
(except for an equipment check which delayed us an hour in Atlanta). The representatives
greeted us in San Juan, and we did not even have to go
to the baggage check area. The transfer was fairly fast and embarkation could not have
been any easier. Time from arrival at the dock to getting on
the ship was maybe 10-15 minutes. We had two cabins, on the Aloha deck (11), one on the
outside with a balcony for us, and one on the inside
across the hall for the kids. The cabins on the Dawn, identical to the Sun, are rather
small in comparison to the Galaxy, for instance. The one thing I
wish they would add is the interactive TV capabilities of the Galaxy, which allows booking
of excursions, as well as on-line gambling when at sea.
We've had balconies the last three cruises, and it definitely enhances the experience. Our
cabin was very quiet at all times, and although it was
small, it had plenty of storage room. The dining experience this cruise was mixed. Most
nights, the food in the dining room was unexceptional. A few
nights, it was very good, expecially the last night with prime rib and lobster. Our waiter
and assistant waiter were very attentive, both were Romanian.
My only complaint about the service was that there is not a wine steward, which on one
hand makes ordering a little quicker, but our assistant waiter
had absolutely knowledge of the wines offered on the menu. Not his fault, but the Princess
cruise line should consider more knowledgeable wine
servers. We did not have breakfast or lunch in the dining room, opting for the
morning/afternoon buffets, which were just OK, or the grill or pizzaria,
which were very good. Overall, the food was pretty good, just not in the same league as
the Celebrity Galaxy. Entertainment on board again was
mixed. The shows we saw were good. London Pub Night was very funny, and Bill Acosta, a
musical performer/imitator was good. Pirates, one of the
main shows, was ok but very short. As far as the lounge acts, a duo, Cruisetones, and a
jazz quarter with a female singer (can't remember their
name!) alternated in the Wheelhouse Bar, our favorite place. The duo was OK, but the jazz
group was outstanding. Very enjoyable. A piano player,
Alan Stripling, was very good, and played every night on the Promenade level. The casino,
usually a highlight, was not as good this time around. The
blackjack dealers were not as friendly and personable as on the last two cruises we have
been on. Tropical night on the Lido Deck next to the pool
was very fun, and a nice break from the inside stuff. One poor area was the ports. Aruba
was ok, the beaches are beautiful. St. Thomas was very
nice. We went shopping in the morning, and snorkeling/beaching at St. Johns in the
afternoon. This was a highlight. The beach was gorgeous, and
the reef was beautiful. The rum punches on the Leyland Sneed on the return trip had real
punch, too! The other ports, Grenada, Dominica and La
Guira especially, were eyesores. The crew advised us to stay on the ship in La Guira,
Venezuela. From the ship, you could see beautiful high
mountains, but the first 500 feet of height were covered with shacks and mountains of
garbage, which was also present in the harbor. This is nothing
but a stop for cheap fuel, and Princess should be ashamed. Dominica and Grenada are third
world countries, and prepare to be accosted at every
turn from someone wanting your money. We disembarked Saturday morning around 9:45 am,
which went flawlessly again, and were taken to the
Grand resort in San Juan for the day, waiting for our 6 pm flight. The resort was very
nice, and we had access to all amenities. A very nice lunch
buffet was prepared for us, and we opted to take a cab to the airport around 4:15 pm ($9
fare). Overall, we enjoyed the cruise. Our kids were kept
busy with the friends they made, and we were able to relax and enjoy ourselves. Although I
would rate the cruise experience on the Sun two years
ago, and the Galaxy last year, as better than this one, it was still an excellent
vacation. We will be more careful next time selecting ports. Good sailing
to all.
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